Quantifying Behavior Using Focal Bout and Instantaneous Scan Sampling

Audience

Course module will be deployed Spring ‘22. 

The expected class size is around 40 students, with a cap at 65.

It is expected that Many non-STEM majors take this course to fulfill their science distributive requirement, so students are expected to have a very minimal background in math and science.

Other applicable courses that may benefit from this module:
This module could potentially be used for other ANTH classes or other classes that teach about methods of behavioral data collection.

Project Summary

Primary Objective

The primary objective of this course module is to have students understand the respective strengths and weaknesses of the two main data collection methods used in research on primate behavior, focal bout sampling and instantaneous scan sampling.

Goals

• Have subsections of the class collect data using each method

• Have students attempt to define their own ethogram to understand the full process of behavioral observation, which includes careful definition

• Have students analyze visualizations of their data in order to enrich class discussion

Content Outline

Part 1

• Students create an ethogram for a shot

• Give students formal definition of a shot to standardize data collection

• Students collect and enter data from provided basketball game video using one of two sampling methods:

  • Instantaneous Scan Sampling is a data collection method in which you observe and record the actions of the entire group being observed at specific time intervals, essentially “scanning” the behavior of the population at each interval. 

  • Focal Bout Sampling, on the other hand, is a data collection method in which you follow one particular individual, watching and recording their behavior for a specific period of time. After that period of time is up, you then switch to observing another individual. 

Part 2

• Charts that aggregate the entire class findings are presented

• Students are asked to reflect on how their data collection differed from the official score sheet and from their classmates

For more information email: difuse-pi-group@dartmouth.edu